Pitt football has continued to makes strides in terms of recruiting in the Class of 2024, boasting 19 commits and the No. 14 class, according to 247Sports.
Defensive back Cornell Allen II spoke to Pittsburgh Sports Now, announcing Pitt in his top six finalists ahead of his commitment dates this Saturday, June 24. Joining Pitt in his six schools are Charlotte, UConn, Indiana, Kansas and Missouri. Allen named Pitt in his top ten schools back in May, with Arizona State, Central Florida (UCF), Cincinnati and Eastern Michigan missing the final cut.
“Pitt is a finalist because it is a special place,” Allen said. “Obviously it is big time ACC football, but the location of the school is very special in the city. I love how the facilities are shared amongst the university and the Steelers and that is very important because I have a dream of playing in the NFL.”
Allen plays safety for Trinity Episcopal School in Richmond, Va. where he helped lead his team to a perfect 11-0 record and their second straight VISAA state title. He also played a large role in a defense that only allowed 96 total points the entire season, an average of 8.7 points per game, including two shutouts to end 2022.
247Sports ranks him as a three-star, the No. 41 player in Virginia and the No. 133 safety in his class.
He said that Pitt making his final six schools prior to his commitment is in large part due to one particular staff member, running backs coach and special teams coordinator Andre Powell.
“The relationship I have with coach Powell is great,” Allen said. “He recruits my area, but he is a old school guy who always keeps it real.”
Allen also has a good relationship with all of the recruiting staff at Pitt and that they have “treated him like a priority.” This includes secondary coach Archie Collins, whose coverage schemes fit will with Allen’s game.
“The scheme they play is a lot of man to man coverage in the slot and I excel in man coverage…Coach Collins is a very genuine dude and he develops guys very well,” Allen said.
Despite the love from Pitt football and the announcement date coming soon, Allen is unsure of where he is going as of now. He still has one official visit left this week, where he will go to Bloomington, Ind. to see the Hoosiers.
Pitt currently has four defensive back commits already in the Class of 2024. This includes three-stars in Allen Bryant and Chasen Johnson from Florida, as well as Tayshawn Banks and Davion Pritchard from Ohio. It also likely includes athlete Nigel Maynard from Tennessee, who plays both defensive back at cornerback and safety, as well as wide receiver.
